Six more coronavirus cases detected at UAE Tour

Another six cases of coronavirus have been confirmed by UAE Tour organisers, all linked to the intial two cases of Covid-19 which caused the event to end prematurely last week.

UAE Tour

A woman wearing a protective mask walks outside the Crowne Plaza hotel at Yas Island Abu Dhabi Source: AFP

Most riders from the race, including four time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, were allowed to return home on the weekend after the entire race was put into lock down inside their Abu Dhabi hotel.

While 167 tests proved negative for the virus, further testing has detected six more infections.

"The six individuals diagnosed with the new coronavirus include two Russians, two Italians, one German and one Colombian," read the statement from the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP).

"The patients were connected to the two previously announced cases associated with the cycling event, the UAE Tour.

"MoHAP confirmed that the cases are being monitored, and individuals are currently in a stable condition and are receiving all necessary health care required."

This brings the total number of infections of Covid-19 in the UAE to 27, five of which being reported as fully recovered from the illness.

UAE Team Emirates have voluntarily stayed behind in the UAE as a precaution even though they were given the all clear leave the country.

Teams Cofidis, Groupama-FDJ and Gazprom-RusVelo remain locked in quarantine on the fourth floor of the Crowne Royal Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island.

Cofidis sports director Roberto Damiani, who is one of the team members still stuck in quarantine, threatened to go on a hunger strike if his team was not allowed to leave.

Damiani claimed that his Cofidis team were among 50 people, including 18 professional Cyclists, who have tested negative but are not able to return home.

"Conditions are still complicated. We have some food; they bring us a lunch pack in front of our room but it is so weird,” he said.

“Personally I have lost 3 kilos since Thursday, because of the food and the stress. The morale is not good now.

“We are very, very united in the team, and that's the only thing that save us from real depression. But for how much longer?”


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2 min read
Published 4 March 2020 10:08am
Source: Reuters


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